It Happpened

About 6 weeks ago I got the change of staff so desparatley need. Loiuse had worked as a
house keeper in Tignes and wanted to be with Lewis our chef and her boyfriend. I'm not entirely sure what being together has done for their relationship as Lewis is as petulent as any chef but I'm glad to have her, if only because she engages with the guests and that makes them happy. Tom2, the 6'7" public schoolboy who's shoes would be more fitting on a tramp and Fraser, the only other person I've met who has been to Kansas City also started as hotel assitants. They are both bright and alert and the guests love them too. The whole place is brighter and with so many extra bodies I often find I have nothing to do rather than working flat out from 7am till 11pm doing the jobs of 3 people in addition to the jobs of 3 people I already do.

I ski host 2 1/2 days a week and have only met 3 guys who were better skiers than me- which is nice. Though to be fair I have got better, much better through the season and have managed 18 days out of the past 20 on the slopes. I can't get out on Sunday's because that's when I have to go to the airport but it's not bad going all the same.I haven't has as much time on powder as I would nave liked and looking back wish I'd paid for some lessons- I used all my blagging skills to get freebies for the guys who hadn't done it before however, on piste and over the bumps I find myself leaving the guests for dead if I want. This a little strange becuase I have obvioulsy got better slowly and not really noticed it. I feel it has taken it's toll on my knees so I can see myself taking up boarding which is much easier on them- if I am going ot go to the dark side I may as well do it while I'm here and can get a board free..

The weather has been amazing and I have a decent suntan on my face- I'm working on other parts of my body. The hotel is looking great, the feedback from the guests is great too with many racing home to book next year as long as Total can promise the staff will be as good as us! We get to do the little things like polish wine glasses which in the past was impossible, I knew it needed doing, I knew the guests knew but just didn't have the resources to do it- and that is seriously frustrating.

Anna, my line manager told me that working a season is like having children, you forget the pain of the beginning and after a while think more about doing it again- I don't want to jinx it but I have been on a roll for 6 weeks. Guests love us, we are happy, the weather is great and although a little soft the snow is good. 4 weeks left then it's party time.
I'll try to get some photos on here soon.

Some philosophy

Obviously things weren't good here for many many weeks and some of my friends said "why do it, why not just go and travel around South America or something you really want to do?"

It was a very valid point, I have pretty much enough money to do anything I want to, I have no real allegiance to SkiTotal- who are happy to work me to death for a paltry amount. My line manager's like me and tell me I'm doing a good job, but they could find somebody else- several Resort Managers have already gone. Sure I'd lose my £100 bond - big deal.

So why not go and have some fun rather than working hard here, waiting for it to happen. I decided I should stay here for several reasons, they may not have been right but now things are actually pretty good I'm glad I did.

The first few weeks were probably the hardest thing I ever did, and the pay off comes as the season goes on- why should I do the hard stuff so someone else can walk in and have it easy?

Who's to say I would have more fun if I went elsewhere and is going for fun the only reason I'm on a career break- much of it is about challenge, self development and simplto dodsomethinggg very different- not to mention getting good a skiing. And this job is certainly all those things.

I don't need to worry about my CV but finishing before the ned of the season is not going to do anythintooi help it. Not to mention that this is probably the bespreparationon I could have for Raleigh in Borneo and to leave would not only deprive me of that crucial experience but would possibly undermine my confidence when things get tough out there.

So, deep down it's the natural personal pride and feeling that I don't want to be a 'quitter' that has kept me here. At times it was very bleak and friends who know me from home and came to visit were amazed at how I'd changed for the worst. I found being here extremely claustrophobic. When at home I would go mountain biking, down the gym, visit friends, DIY and gardening, out on my motorbike or away for a weekend or longer. The only variety life offers here is sleeping, working, skiing or drinking (at £3 a pint) and sometimes I just want to go somewhere different. I managed to get out a few times but using public transport is expensive and hard planning. I makes me feel glad I will not be a project manager in Borneo which would mean staying in a small village for the 3 months of the expedition- at least I get about the place.

So, I stayed, I got rid of 2 members of staff who were crap and replaced them with 3 good ones. After a visit from the MD who, having seen what a thoroughly splendid job I had done, including forming such a great relationship with the owners of the Sonneck Hotel that they reconsidered their intention to not renew their contract with Total I found myself in a very strong position. After failing to entice me back next Winter he offered a consulting fee and free travel if I would come back atat the beginning of subsequent seasons to help set the place up. Neither form part of my plan but it did allow me to negotiate new furniture for saccommodationation and more staff to put in it.

Things are looking up. Sorry if I am ranting or going in but it's my aide memoir.